Study programme

Governing Europe (European Studies)

The Master's in Governing Europe is a one-year programme that offers in-depth knowledge of contemporary European politics and governance. The first semester comprises several core courses and a skills seminar, while the second semester allows you to tailor the programme to your own interests through a series of electives and the Master's Thesis.

Programme structure

Core courses

The programme's core courses give an in-depth introduction to theories of EU governance, EU policies, European geopolitics and European integration.

Perspectives of European Integration

In this course, insights into the driving forces, organisation and practices of European governance in terms of policymaking will be related to wider historical, cultural and geographical contexts.

European Geopolitics

This course offers a critical understanding of the evolution of geopolitical thought in Europe, from early 20th century Imperial Geopolitics to the current `War on Terror' and the EU’s role in the world.

Skills Seminar

During the Skills Seminar, students will practice the diverse skills needed to successfully conclude a Master's thesis. These skills include: defining a research question and problem, identifying methods and theoretical approaches and data-gathering techniques. A trip to Brussels will take place in the fourth week of the course, where students will learn more about the practice of European policymaking, with interactions with EU officials.

Electives

The electives complement the programme's core courses and provide a further contextualization of the theories of EU governance, EU policies, European geopolitics and European integration, and also allow students to pursue regional interests. Areas of focus include:

The State of the Economy

The Power of Law: Legal Integration in the European Union

European Cultural Policy

Democracy in the European Union

Social Europe

You have also the opportunity to develop a fully customised programme with a selection of courses from other Master's programmes. A proposal for such an individual programme must be approved by the programme’s examination board.

Tutorial

You will also follow a thesis tutorial that prepares you for thesis writing. Serving as a complement to the January skills seminar, the tutorial will help you in starting to define your research problem and question, as well as beginning data gathering and determining the structure of the thesis.

Internship

Students are encouraged to engage in internships during the Master's programme, particularly in relation to the Master's thesis. The organisation of the internship is the full responsibility of student and, in consultation with the programme coordinator, possibilities will be sought to accommodate the internship in the framework of the programme.

Thesis

The Master's thesis is an individual research project carried out by the student under the supervision of a faculty member. The subject of the thesis should relate to topics covered in the courses and will be mutually agreed upon by the student and the supervisor.

Detailed course information

Credit transfer

Students who show exceptional promise during a regular or professional Master's programme are encouraged to continue their studies in a Research Master's programme. Once students are admitted to the Research Master's programme, they can transfer credits earned during their previous course of study towards their Research Master's degree. The Examinations Board determines which courses qualify for transfer.

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